The Republican journal., 1887-09-08
James G.. Blaine.

When the Kansas City Times, one of the
pers in the country, says of MIR. Blaine that he
is ''thc one Republican, the Solid South could
look up to with any assurance of decent treat
ment and administrative fair play and justice"
it but uttcrs openly and fearcS>ly what many
prominent Southern Democrats say in private.
Only within the past few days. one Of the best
known leaders OF the southern Democracy
said in Philadelphia, that Mr.. Biainc'> fairness
and patriotism, his broad and truthful views
of American needs. were much appreciated
in The South that, if he did not belong to the
Republican party. he could receive Demo-
cratic nomination for President. From this,
and many other similar Southern expressions.
il appears that Mr.. Blaine Is to-day the most
popular of living American statesmen, North
or South democrat or Republican. That MIR.
Blaine. has been aSs;lilcd and prosecuted in the
past W it'll most infamous and cruel >Ianlcr. is
we'll known 10 his political opponents, who. i'll
the heat of political campaigns. have stopped
to make Use of the bogus capital furnished 10y
Mr.. Blainc's personal enemies. The charge oi
his holding stock in the Lcaycnworth, r;wnce
* Western Railroad, in return for services in
procuring the passage Of certain bills in Con-
grcss. in which The corporation was Interested.
has long since been abandoned by al! proni-
ncnt and decent newspapers rs %roundlc>s. for
these bills had been passed in 1862. and MIR.
Blaine did not Become member of Congress
until December. 1868. In a like manner have
the serious charges. Rejecting upon Mr.. Elaine'>
integrity and honesty As public servant and
which We're given 10 the country in the >o-rall-
cd Mlill-an correspondence. bccH regretted and
dismissed by al! honorable people. who Ia,
claim to fairness in dealing with political adj
ver>ar,>. The a1c Hon. RcNcrdv johnson,
whose Democracy and ability to >it IN ii!@
mcht will not he doubted by any one. fully and
completely cXoncratcd Mr.. Blaine in public
document. at the time the cruel and r"wardN
blow was aimed AT the latter Bat il Is not of
Mr.. Blaine. >putlc>> record that we wished TO
| speak in this article. So much. rs of his bril-
ancy Of mind. his practical and conlprchrn-
4 >iNc way of %ra>png Important pubic uue,-
| tons. and. above all. Of the Eia@n, ii>n this
singular man exercises over these who come
] into personal contact with him. The undated
courage and spirit with which Mr.. Blaine has
| borne The fierce attacks of personal and lolltl-
cal enemies. and the disappointment Of his
career IN American politics. have challenged
tho admiration OF lhc wo'l,!, and ii is safe to
assert that not one public figure in American
history ha> ever ourNalcd him in the strong
1 hold he has gained upon popularity and per-
sonal affection. Even Henry Clay. who, in
many ways. was prototype of Mr. Elaine.
never rose TO greater hight in public estimation
or attracted more personal attachment and
t,rcl,-srated and l:>tl"@ legally. than has fallen
- The share 81 the great statesman from Maine.
That this is not mere idle talk is well known
| to tic thousands whose hearts ache,. us if in
| personal bereavement. Ill Mr.. BlaincS defeat ut
| the last National election. When strong and
| Muscular men, who had only l,ehelI their taN-
| orte leader 1t Il distance. spent the days OF
| doubt and fear. preceding the actual knowledge
/ OF defeat, without noirishlncnt and sleep. and
| accepted the final calamity with fearful eyes
md >orrowftl hearts, then il daWncd upon the
great mass of this people that James q. Blaine
could not he the bad man he had been tie
nounrcd. but that he must be Il man among
men. prtny of all others TO be honorcd and
loved: for he. who. like him, is able to reach
the hearts Of the people, 10 touch some tender
spot. some chord. that will Vibrate i'll affection.
! is worthy of our best sen>ibililics. 1t is well
known that Mr.. Blaine has had no desire 10 fig
| are a. The perpetual presidential candidate OF
lis party. He was very reluctantly persuaded
TO make the race in 1881. and has given no en-
couragemtnt, 50 far rs the public is informed
To those Who want him 10 give the Republican
party the opportunity to show that success I'M
der hi> leadership will he the inevitable result
| Of his denomination. Mr.. Blaine has the good
taste and the singular gift of silence. When
speech would hc unwi>c and ill-timed, hl;i we
imagine. from The present outlook, that the he
nanls Of the party upon him will nj the prop
cr time reach him with such >pontaneity and
enthusiastic that the true rim. Of the born lead
| or ami rillned knight will not he found want
ing in his voice. and that he Will be ready 10 do
his duty by those loyal hearts who hold him
in affection and admiration and respect. lie
has gone abroad for rest and recreation. AMI
every step of his and every sentence he utier>.
are carefully reported and cabled and the
Bows j. anNiously read by millions of his
eoUmirymcn. Who else in this Great and NUM-
crou> Nation could command such universal
attention ana possess himself OF such public
interest: Whatever the outcome may be. of
the current discussions and political forces.
| I. RIaJ,ir liz